MATCH NOTES
This is the first match of a two-leg semifinal series in the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship, with the second leg set for Bell Pitch at BC Place in Vancouver, BC, on Wednesday, May 9. Tonight’s match is also the first-ever meeting between Whitecaps FC and FC Edmonton, who play in the second-tier North American Soccer League (NASL). Vancouver’s last visit to Edmonton and Commonwealth Stadium was for a friendly on May 13, 2008, as the ‘Caps (North American second division) defeated Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy 2-1 in front of a crowd of 37,104.

ABOUT WHITECAPS FC VERSUS FC EDMONTON
Although tonight’s match is the first-ever meeting between Whitecaps FC and FC Edmonton, it is not the first time the Blue and White have played opposition from the city of Edmonton or the province of Alberta. Dating back to 1979, Whitecaps FC played teams from Edmonton 36 times and clubs from Alberta 64 times. This included 11 meetings versus Edmonton Drillers in the old NASL between 1979 and 1982, with the ‘Caps registering an 8W-3L record overall and a 3W-3L record in Edmonton during that time. During the Canadian Soccer League era, Vancouver registered a 19W-1L-1D overall record versus Edmonton Brick Men, including a road record of 9W-1L-0D between 1987 and 1990. In the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) season of 2004, Whitecaps FC registered a 2W-1L-1D record versus Edmonton Aviators, including a 2W-0L-0D road record that year. In all, Whitecaps FC have a 29W-5L-2D record against clubs from Edmonton, including an overall record of 14W-4L-0D in the Alberta provincial capital.